Gone (thankfully) are the days when all we wanted was to completely hide the TV — those bulky armoires and oversize TV cabinets weren't doing our living rooms any favors. And while most of us today are content to keep the TV visible, it would still be nice to not let the "big black box" take over the entire room. Whether you are designing a den or living room from scratch, or working with what you've got, get inspired with these 11 creative ways to style around the set.

1. Swivel-mount next to the fireplace. Rather than compete with the fireplace as the focal point, position your TV to one side. You should be able to easily turn your mounted TV to just the right angle when you're ready to watch. Placing a low or floating cabinet beneath the TV will provide a visual anchor.

2. Surround with shelving. Shelving all around the TV is not a new concept, but using Parsons style shelves gives it a fresh twist, allowing the wall color to peek through. Fill the shelves with books (some vertical, some horizontal) and special objects, but leave enough open space to let the arrangement breathe.

3. Offset with tall lamps or vases. If the console you are using is wide enough, consider flanking the TV with a pair of lamps slightly taller than the screen. You could also use a pair of urns, or a lamp paired with a sculpture — any combination you have on hand to fill out the arrangement.

4. Juxtapose with eye-popping color. Using a bold accent color or pattern to cover the backs of shelving surrounding your TV is a great way to add a pop of color to your space and draw the eye away from the screen.

5. Frame with a shelf. If your TV setup is looking a little lonely, try installing a floating shelf on the wall above it. Keep the shelf close to the top of the screen (6 to 12 inches away) and fill it with a collection of favorite art, books and objects.

6. Hide within a gallery wall. Give the eye plenty of places to rest other than the Big Black Box by hanging a gallery-style collection of prints around the TV. If space is tight, you could even incorporate a desk and computer into the arrangement, as shown here.

7. Play second fiddle to the conversation area. Make conversation the focus with a furniture layout that uses facing couches or chairs. Placing the TV perpendicular to the sofa does make it less comfortable to watch, so make sure you can swivel your TV to get the best possible angle. Even so, this arrangement is probably best for households that watch only occasionally.

8. Tuck into a custom nook. If you have a steeply sloped ceiling or other awkward space, it could be worth your while to hire a pro and have custom cabinets made that fit the space exactly. Think ahead when planning a recessed area for a TV — will you want to upgrade to a larger screen in the future? Leave room in the plan for adjustments.

As a finishing touch, add a dash of richly colored paint to the cabinet interiors on either side of the TV, and fill the shelves with personal art and objects.

9. Hang over a long, low cabinet. This style cabinet feels much more relaxed than typical tall, narrow chests and TV consoles; and by hanging your TV on the wall above, you can still achieve the perfect viewing height. Use the ample surface to display a rotating selection of coffee table books, flowers and pottery.

10. Angle into a corner. When you have more than one focal point (windows, fireplace) competing for attention, it may be better to let the TV take a back seat. A wedge-shaped cabinet tucked into the corner may not be the most innovative solution, but it gets the job done — and if the rest of the space is as pulled together as the one shown here, no one will notice the TV until it's time to watch.

11. Customize with floating shelves. If you love the look of custom shelving but not the price, consider piecing together your own solution with ready-made floating shelves and cabinets. Use several shelves together to cover the full wall above the TV, and shorter lengths beside it; cabinets below provide closed storage for media and extra cords. Positioning the screen off-center looks fresh and can actually be more functional than a centered TV, depending on your seating arrangement.